Luke spent the night on his back staring up at the ceiling cursing his luck. It had been three years since Rachel's last visit and longer than that since he had any interest in letting his eyes roam. And then the moment he lowered his barriers, let himself look around, touch and feel something other than just his own loneliness, she comes barging in and dispels the sensation. He closed his eyes over and let himself bask in the memory of Lorelai's leg draped over his hip, her crotch grinding against him to find that sweet spot. He felt his cock twitch and let his hand trail down his torso and under the band of his underpants to stroke it.

He hummed at the sensation as his grip tightened and licked his lips in the hopes he could taste her kiss off them. He wanted to grip himself tighter, stroke himself faster but the sound of someone moving around in the living room made him still. He held his breath and listened to the heavy footfall that he knew wasn't Ellie. It approached his bedroom and a soft knock preceded the door opening slowly. Luke tried to resettle his blankets and was sitting up a bit when Rachel entered.

"Hey."

"What are you doin in here Rachel?" meaning not just his room, but his apartment, his life.

She closed the door softly behind her and walked over to the bed to sit on the edge. She was still wearing only his shirt and a pair of panties. Luke tried not to look and instead focused on the hairline on her forehead. "I wanted to talk to you before Ellie got up, and I know you are an early riser." She glanced down at the bunched up blankets arranged on his lap. "In more ways than one," she said with a smirk. She reached over and went to iron out the creases on the blankets there but he grabbed her wrist and pulled her away. She laughed menacingly and let him push her back.

"Don't."

"Oh Luke, you used to be so playful in the morning."

"What do you want Rachel?"

"Same thing you want."

"I highly doubt that."

"C'mon Luke, there is no reason this visit has to be so formal!"

"So it's a visit?"

"Its whatever you want it to be."

"Over." he said shortly and he let go of her wrist and pulled himself up the bed to rest his back against the headboard. The blankets were still bunched on his lap but with Rachel sitting cross legged on the edge of the bed next to him, her proprietary smirk on her lips as she looked him over, all desire was washed out of his system.

"Really?"

"It was Ellie's birthday a few weeks ago."

"I know."

"Oh, I wasn't sure. You never rang."

"I knew I was coming home so I didn't see the point."

"Home?"

"You know what I mean."

"So you didn't see the point in ringing your daughter on her birthday?" he said as he crossed his arms over his chest and fixed her with a cold stare.

"Don't put it that way Luke."

"Oh, there is another way to put it?"

"Can you stop attacking me for one minute?"

"Can you think of someone else for one second?" She looked down at her fingers on her lap and let them interlock and twist together. Luke instantly felt a wave of guilt wash over him but he had learned to quickly follow this wave with one of anger. "For god's sake Rach…" Luke pulled the sheet off himself and got off the bed on the opposite side. He didn't care that he was wearing nothing but his underwear and knew she was watching as he crossed the room. he felt trapped and vulnerable under that sheet with her wearing next to nothing and sitting so close. He grabbed his jeans from the night before and quickly pulled them on then the red henley shirt and pulled that over his head too. He inhaled deeply and took strength in the slight waft of Lorelai's perfume.

"Cover it up Luke, just keep covering it up." She smiled and turned on the bed, taking the spot he had just vacated.

"Don't get comfortable," he warned as he grabbed a pair of socks from the drawer and sat at the end of the bed to pull them on.

"So...tell me about your date last night."

"No."

"Is that who you were thinking of this morning?" she grinned and let her eyes fall to his crotch.

"I forgot how vulgar you were. Thanks for reminding me." He reached for his boots and pulled them on then tightened the laces to tie them.

"Wasn't so long ago when you liked it."

He felt the bed move behind him and looked over his shoulder to see her crawling towards him on all fours.

"Really? Seems like a distant memory."

"Not that distant." She rested her hands on his shoulders and let her head lean against the side of his.

"Distant enough." Luke stood up and made her hands drop away from him, then turned to look down at her. "I don't know what you think is going to happen here. But there is nothing between us." he gestured between them with his hands. "You can't come back and expect to pick up where you left off. Not with me anyway."

"Luke-"

"If you really want to make amends, its not me you should be trying with. Ellie should be your main focus here."

"You know I love Ellie."

"Do you?"

"Luke!" She straightened up and rested her hands on her hips.

"Fix it, Rach." He turned on his heel and walked out of the room, leaving her behind him in a shadow of anger.

He went to the bathroom and cleaned up, brushed his teeth and washed his face then patted himself dry and looked at his reflection in the mirror. He tried to punch down the guilt that was foaming in his gut but it kept bubbling up. Maybe he didn't need to be as gruff with her as he was but it was the only way he knew to keep his distance. He didn't want to get sucked into another Rachel sponsored roller coaster.

He shook his head and walked out of the bathroom. She was standing at the counter making toast, still clad in his shirt. He shook his head and grabbed his keys then walked to the door without another word.

"See ya later!" she called after him as he closed the door behind him and descended the stairs to the diner.

Luke focused on getting the diner ready for the day. Setting up the tables, prepping the kitchen then working with Caesar to get the breakfast rush over and done with. He didn't expect Ellie to come down for breakfast as per their usual school day routine, not when Rachel was upstairs, but he still couldn't help the pang of disappointment when she breezed through in time to run across to school with nothing but a perfunctory wave and greeting.

When Rachel came down a few hours later he was happy to see she was wearing more than just his shirt. Though she was still wearing that. She had it tucked into her jeans and buttoned loosely so it hung open enough to show the black tank she was wearing beneath. She sat at the counter, and leaned forward to smile at him.

"What does a girl have to do to get a coffee round here?"

"Simply ask."

"Coffee?"

"To go?" he said but he had already pulled a to go cup out for her.

"Trying to get rid of me?"

"Thought you had a long list of things to do." He fixed a lid to the cup and slid it to her.

"Oh?"

"You know, find a place to stay, get the laundry done, buy something for Ellie for her birthday."

"Oh Luke, you are so subtle!" She lifted the coffee to her lips and sipped then closed her eyes and sighed. "Still make the best coffee ever though." She swirled on her stool and started to walk to the door. She held it open and flicked her hair over her shoulder. "See ya later hot stuff!" she called back and walked out almost knocking over Lorelai in the process.

"Oh sorry!" Lorelai grabbed her arms to stop them both from falling.

"Oh! God I'm so sorry!" Rachel said as she steadied herself and stepped back.

"Gravity got the better of you there huh!"

"Gravity and distraction, never a good combination."

Lorelai smiled and looked over this affable stranger for the first time. There was something about her she couldn't quite put her finger on. Something familiar but studying her face she recognized nothing. "No, I've fallen victim to the ills of gravity before."

"Well, sorry about that, I'll try to resist the gravitational pull of the pavement."

"Keep safe."

They walked around each other and Lorelai stepped into the diner. Luke who was standing behind the counter watching their exchange in terror was staring at her with wide eyes as she approached.

"Hey," she said as she slipped onto the stool Rachel had just vacated, with a smile that faltered when she caught the expression on his face. "What's up?" she asked carefully.

"Um, nothing. Hey. Coffee?"

"Yeah, sure."

He grabbed a mug and poured out a coffee for her then pulled the order pad out of the front of his jeans. "Eating today?"

"I'm not really hungry…" he started to put his order pad back but she grabbed his wrist. "Oh hey not so fast."

"Thought you weren't hungry."

"I said not really hungry...so just a little peckish." He tried to smile and looked down at her fingers circling his wrist. "So how about some pancakes."

"Small stack?"

"Well…"

"Medium?"

"Hmmm…"

"Large stack."

"With a side of bacon."

He smiled, wrote down the order and went to the kitchen to place it on the rack. He watched Caesar take it and whistle as he started to get it ready.

"Hey, you look different." he turned to her and watched as her eyes looked him up and down. "What is it…"

"Hmm?" He approached her again and rubbed the counter down with a rag.

"You look different."

"Oh my god!" She snapped her fingers and pointed at him. "You're not wearing any flannel!"

Luke looked down at himself and realized only then that in his hurry to get out of his apartment and away from Rachel he was only wearing his red long sleeve top and jeans with the front of his top tucked in from his order pad placement.

"Oh I uh I was in a rush this morning."

"Slept in?"

"Yeah."

Luke grabbed the coffee pot and walked the room refilling everyone's cups. Some of whom hadn't ordered coffee. He cleared the empty tables and wiped them down. He went into the store room and needlessly counted some boxes then came back to the front to see Caesar delivering Lorelai's plate to her. She took the plate with a smile and smothered the stack in maple syrup before tucking in. Luke watched from the side as she ate and shook her head in time with whatever music was playing in her head. He wanted to walk over to her and kiss her. A simple kiss would suffice he thought, but as the memory of their recent kisses surfaced he realized it probably wouldn't suffice at all.

He went to the till and took payment from the customers who were standing there then cleared their tables before resuming his position behind the counter just as she finished eating.

"Good?"

"Mmm Hmm." she swallowed the last bite and finished her coffee also. "So good. I'm going to put on so much weight living in this town…"

Luke smiled and took her plate then turned back in time to see Rachel approaching from the other side of the street.

"Lorelai, I need to talk to you." he said suddenly.

"Oh? Whats up?"

"Not now. Can I call round later?"

"Um, sure." She frowned at him. He took her empty cup and placed it into the kitchen then filed a to go cup with more coffee and secured a lid. "Nothing serious I hope...is everything ok?"

"What time will you be home from work?" he asked as he passed her the coffee ignoring her question.

"About 6ish."

"Okay, I'll see you then." he smiled tightly.

"Oh, ok then." she had the distinct feeling she was being ushered out and when she put her hands into her purse to pay he waved her off. "Alright...see you later."

Lorelai turned to walk out and got to the door at the same time as Rachel. She pulled it open and Rachel stumbled in with a gasp.

"Oh gosh!" Rachel said with a little laugh. "You! We have got to stop meeting like this."

Lorelai smiled and stepped aside to let Rachel in. "Don't mind me, I'm just trying to earn my eagle scout badges."

"Which one is this?"

"Consistently startle a member of the community!"

Rachel laughed. "Oh I got that one years ago." she cast her eyes over to where Luke was trying and failing not to watch and winked at him.

"One more scare for me to go, so you better watch out."

Rachel stepped aside to let Lorelai out and Lorelai looked over her shoulder to wave at Luke but halted at the look on his face. His eyes were wide open, his lips were but a thin line across his mouth and his hands were flat on the counter as he watched them both.

Lorelai frowned and a bubble of worry trembled in her belly. She lifted her eyebrows at him and offered him a smile but his attention was now focused on someone else. Lorelai stepped out of the diner and walked along the street but looked in the window in time to see the stranger she had just greeted wave at Luke and walk behind the curtain towards his apartment.

She wanted to stop walking, press her face to the window and get a closer look at the exchange but it was clear Luke was trying to get rid of her, trying to get rid of her before the other woman walked in. He hadn't quite succeeded but she didn't want to charge back in there now and demand answers. Well, she realized with a frustrated sigh, she wanted nothing more than to do that but she resisted and walked back to work.

At the independence inn Lorelai moved through the motions with a distracted air. When Sookie was finished the dinner prep and everything was running smoothly she came out ot the reception to see Lorelai still behind the counter.

"Hey honey, what are you still doing here?"

"Oh I'm just leaving."

"You ok?"

"Yeah I'm fine." Lorelai brushed her hair back from her face then with a frustrated sigh she pulled it back fully and tied it into a ponytail. "Hey...you've known Luke for a few years right?"

"Yeah, we were in high school together, but he was a few years ahead of me."

"So you knew Rachel too?" Lorelai asked carefully.

"I didn't really know her." Sookie watched her friend for a reaction. "I guess I met her a few times. Why?"

"What did she look like?"

"Tall, brunette, slim, really pretty. Gorgeous brown eyes and amazing skin!" Lorelai lifted an eyebrow at Sookie's description. "Why?"

"Oh I was just wondering."

"Oh honey, it's all in the past. Trust me. You and Luke are new. And now. So go home, go call that hunk of yours and see if he doesn't want to call around for a nightcap."

Lorelai forced a smile to curve her lips and looked at her watch. It was just coming up to half six. She knew he would be waiting, there is no way he would say he would call around and then not be there. So she took her jacket off the back of the chair behind her and slipped it on.

"Okay, I'm going to head off."

"I'll see you tomorrow."

Lorelai stepped into her office and grabbed her bag then went to her Jeep and drove home. As expected Luke was sitting on the steps that led up to her porch. She climbed out and approached him. She tried to smile but he was sitting still, staring at the ground with a frown burrowing his features, his hands dangled between his knees.

"Hey, sorry I'm late." She said breezily as she stopped in front of him. "Do you want to come in?"

"I um...do you want to sit?" He gestured at the step beside him but still didn't look up.

"Oh...ok." She sat next to him but left about a foot between them. She had been in this position before. She knew a break up chat and could spot it a mile off. And this was certainly a break up chat. "So...you wanted to talk."

"Yeah."

A long silence wafted between them and she waited for him to break it.

"So...talk." she was rapidly losing her patience and she couldn't keep up the pretense of happiness up any longer, not when her heart was hammering in her chest sending painful waves of sorrow around her body.

"Rachel is back."

"Oh."

"I don't mean like that." he said but his words offered no comfort. "She was there when I got home last night. Ellie invited her to stay."

"Oh."

"I just wanted to talk to you...tell you."

"It's okay Luke."

"What is?" he looked at her for the first time since she got home.

"It's ok, I understand."

"Understand what?"

"Rachel is back. That's it." she pulled her jacket closed tighter. "We hadn't really started anything anyway, let's just forget it."

"Lorelai that's not what I came here for…"

"Luke," she turned to face him and placed a hand on his arm. "It's fine."

"So that's it?" His frown deepened and he looked down at her hand that gripped his arm. "You want to just walk away?"

"No Luke," her grip on his arm tightened. "I think it's best if I just step back, give you room to deal with this."

"I've got nothing to deal with. I just wanted to tell you, talk to you about it."

"How long is Rachel staying?"

Luke looked away and Lorelai had her answer. She squeezed his arm and stood up. She brushed down the front and back of her skirt as she climbed the rest of the way up to her porch.

"I'll see you around Luke." She pulled her keys out and opened the door then looked over her shoulder at him, still sitting on her porch and closed the door softly behind her.

Luke waited until he heard the lock click behind him then with a heavy weight on his shoulders got up and walked away.

When he got to the diner Caesar had everything under control so he waved him to continue and went straight up to the apartment. Ellie and Rachel were sitting at the table in the kitchen painting each others nails.

"Hey Dad!" Ellie squealed in excitement when he walked in and waved her colorful nails at him. "Look what mom got me!"

"Cool." he uttered as he glanced at her. He looked at Rachel to still see her wearing his shirt. "Still no laundry done?" he asked with a bitter twist in his voice.

"Long day of chores."

"Yeah sure." Luke walked through the apartment to his room and closed the door behind him. he flopped onto the bed and closed his eyes. He tried to sort out what he was feeling. Hurt at how easily Lorelai found it to walk away from him. Anger at Rachel and her as ever impeccable timing. Sad for Ellie and how he knew she was going to be feeling when Rachel did her usual disappearing act. Loneliness at the thought that he wasn't going to have to worry about greeting Lorelai with a kiss, holding her hand, hugging her or making her smile.

He folded his hands behind his head and interlocked his fingers then let his eyes close over and tried to relax. When a soft knock on his door preceded the sound of it opening he turned to glare at Rachel but instead found Ellie standing there sheepishly watching him.

"Hey honey."

"Dad...are you ok?"

"Sure honey, I'm just tired." he rubbed his eyes vigorously with his fingers then sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. Ellie came to sit next to him.

"You seem mad...or upset."

"I'm fine." He nudged her with his shoulder. "You hungry?"

"Yeah. Mom is making pasta."

"Good."

"Did you guys fight?"

"No honey, we're beyond fighting. We've done enough to last us forever."

"You and Lorelai then?" Ellie asked after only a moment's hesitation.

"What about me and Lorelai?" he responded carefully.

"Did you guys fight?"

"No honey. We're...friends."

"Just friends?"

"Just friends," Luke confirmed and he looked away.

"I'm sorry." Luke didn't respond and Ellie continued. "Is it because of mom?"

"When did you get so curious about my love life?"

"I've always been curious dad," she said with a half smile. "There just wasn't ever that much to be curious about."

Luke nudged her again. "C'mon, let's rescue dinner from your mom."

On Saturday morning while Ellie was still officially grounded Luke lifted the restriction for a few hours to get her to go over to Lane's. He needed the time to talk to Rachel and get down to the bottom of what she was planning to do. He listened to her footsteps descending the stairs and a moment longer for the bell over the diner door to jangle and announce her full departure from the building then he turned to Rachel who was sitting on the couch watching him with a smile.

"Wanted some alone time huh?" she patted the couch beside her and waggled her eyebrows. Luke purposefully walked to the armchair and sat down.

"What's your plan?"

"Plan?" Rachel laughed. "Oh Luke you know me better than to think I have a plan."

"How much longer are you staying here?"

"Why? Is your resolve melting? Am I getting through to you?"

"If it's going to be for much longer I think you should get somewhere else to stay. I know how uncomfortable that couch is."

"Yeah my back is getting sore…" she rubbed the small of her back. A simple gesture that used to work as an invite, but Luke paid her no heed.

"So you should really be sleeping somewhere else."

"Like?"

"Rachel drop it." he was angry at her assumptions that he would just so willingly take her back. As he if he was simply sitting around waiting for her. "Nothing is here between us. I don't care what you think you can make me do, or feel, but there is nothing here."

"Luke…"

"I'm glad you are back here. I truly am. I want you to be as much a part of Ellie's life as you can, but as far as you and I are concerned, there is nothing to salvage."

"I'm not trying to salvage anything, I know we're not right for each other." He nodded but she continued. "But that doesn't mean that we can't have a little fun while I'm here."

"While you are here?" He caught her words and latched onto them. "So you will be leaving?"

"I don't know. like I said. I never plan too far ahead."

"I know." Luke looked away. "Maybe you should get a room at the inn, or find a short term rental then because you here, this isn't working for me."

"Oh hush, little ole me! I take up hardly any space. And besides, Ellie loves me being here."

Luke couldn't argue that last point. He wondered if her real lack of eagerness to get another place was due to the fact that she knew she would be leaving soon. he let his eyes fall over to the duffel bag that sat in the corner and realized she had yet to take any belongings out of it. She had simply been living out of it. her impact on his apartment was next to nothing, other than the glaring uncomfortable tension from her mere presence.

That at the utter joy she brought into Ellie's life. She had done nothing but smile since Rachel arrived and it lifted his heart to see it. He just dreaded the moment when she would leave. Not for himself but for Ellie. he was the one who would have to pick up all the shattered pieces she'd leave behind.

"I'll give you until Monday. If you intend to stay longer than that, you need to find another place to stay."

Luke stood up and grabbed his keys. He grabbed his jacket from the back of the chair and slipped it on.

"I'll see you later."

Luke left the diner to Caesar and went over to the dance hall to sort out the party for Patty. He had delivered the food and equipment earlier and now he just needed to set up. He crossed the square and waved at the few regular customers he spotted then pushed the heavy sliding door open and stepped in. Patty was instructing Kirk on where to hang the decorations and he nodded with a small smile then went to the back of the room and started the setup. A couple of hours later he had the hot plates ready, the dogs and burgers were almost cooked and a large pot of paella was mixed and warming under the lamps.

"Wow, this is some spread you have Luke!" Patty said as he walked over.

"Its nothing really." he waved off her compliment. "I added a pot of paella for the parents. You said about twenty kids right?"

"Yeah, but closer to thirty adults."

"There should be enough. And if not it's a quick dish to make more of."

"Oh Luke you're too kind."

"It's the least I can do." Luke flipped the burgers and kept his attention on the food. He had a soft spot for Ms Patty. She was a huge influence on him and one of the many supports he got when Rachel left town all those years ago. She was a babysitter, a dance teacher, helped him talk to Ellie about the birds and bees, and brought her shopping for bras when she was thirteen and became a shelter for her when she needed another shoulder to cry on. If it wasn't for Ms Patty, Babbette and hell even Kirk he was sure he would have lost Ellie years ago to the ravages of adolescence.

"So I see Rachel is back in town." He expected this question and though he wanted nothing more than to tell her to not ask him anymore, he didn't want to draw attention to the discomfort he was feeling at the mention of Rachel's name.

"Mmmhmm."

"Is she staying for long?"

"Dunno."

Patty heard the reluctance in his voice and almost let his tone hold back her questions but she just had to know.

"How was your date with Lorelai the other night? Went to see some scary movie?"

"It wasn't a date." he said dismissively. "We just saw a movie."

"Right. I see." Patty helped him set the table up a little more in silence then when all the napkins were folded, plastic cutlery in place and the crowds of people started to stream in, she turned to face him and gripped his forearm. "Luke, honey, don't get bogged down by distractions. Take what's right in front of you and run with it."

She squeezed his arm and hurried off to greet her guests leaving him in a state of confusion. What did she mean he wondered as he watched her hug and kiss everyone that walked in. Was Lorelai a distraction in this case? Or Rachel? He let his mind wander and thought of the walk along the pier, the feeling of her body pressed up against his, the sensation of her lips against his, on his neck, her fingers locked between his, her hair brushing off his cheek. If she was a distraction, she was a helluva distraction. He turned back to the food and made sure it was all ready to go as the line of people waiting to be served started forming.

Shortly after 4pm Ellie came bounding in with a wide smile on her face. She grabbed an apron from behind the stand Luke had set up and got to helping him serve the food. She chatted idly about her day with Lane, about projects she had going on in school and even mentioned some plans she had for things to do with her mother. Luke bit his tongue to stop himself from telling her not to make any solid plans with Rachel. He loved seeing Ellie so happy and he didn't want to be the one to burst her bubble. At least, not yet.

"There is something else…" Luke said as he passed someone a plate of food and turned to see her smiling and staring off into the distance. "What is it?"

"Well...you know how you said…" she looked over her shoulder to make sure they wouldn't be overheard. "You know how you said I could start dating?"

"I vaguely remember something along those lines," Luke said noncommittally.

"Well Tim is back from Florida. And despite the wonderful showing of parental care you displayed in the mall a few weeks ago, he still wants to go out with me."

"Ellie-"

"I know dad! I know!" She waved off his interruption. "I told him the rule."

"Which rule?"

"The one you said that you had to meet him before I was allowed to go out with him."

"Oh...that rule. And?"

"And he agreed."

"He did?" Luke was shocked and unable to hide it. He thought any fourteen year old boy would run a mile upon hearing he had to meet her father. Especially after the mall incident, as he had come to call it. Unless… a horrific thought burned its way to the front of his mind. "What age is this guy?"

"21."

"What?!" Luke dropped his serving spoon with a loud clatter and turned to her. "Ellie if you think I would let you-" He caught the glint in her eye and the smile on her face and poked her in the ribs. "Not funny. Not funny at all."

"He's in my science class Dad!"

"Oh, ok then."

"So you'll meet him?" He looked at her sidewards. Wondered when did she get so big. then let his lips curve into a small smile and nodded his head. "Tonight?"

"Tonight?" Luke frowned again. "Why so soon?"

"Because he wants to take me to the screening of Indiana Jones at the omniplex by the mall tomorrow."

"How do you expect to get there?'

"His mom is driving us. And picking us up." She added quickly before he could ask.

"Seems to me like you have a lot of planning already completed for this date I have yet to approve."

"I'm just being diligent dad. I know the questions you will ask."

He looked at her for a moment more. "Ok then. Tonight. At the diner?"

"Yes!" Ellie jumped over and hugged him tightly. "Thank you!"

"And I want his parents number, I want to talk to his mom."

"Sure dad!" She was still hugging him and her words were muffled by her face being pressed into his chest. For a moment he let her stay there, he wanted her to stay there forever. His little girl. But he knew better than to waste his wishes on the impossible. Instead he would save them for something more likely. As if on cue, Lorelai chose that moment to wander into the dance hall and their eyes locked across the room. She smiled at the sight of Ellie hugging him, trapping his arms by his side, preventing him from waving. Then she lifted a hand to brush her hair behind her ear and walked over to Ms Patty where she was engulfed in a hug of her own.

Shortly after Ellie released him she went around the room picking up empty plates and trashing food scraps. Luke turned his attention back on the food he was serving and tried not to let his eyes wander too much in search of her. She knew where he was if she wanted to speak to him and if she didn't want that, then he thought it best to leave her alone. But he couldn't help himself.

Every glimpse of black curly hair he darted his eyes over, only to be disappointed. He thought he heard her laugh at one stage but it turned out to be Kirk who was being tickled by his girlfriend. For want of something to watch, Luke found Ellie across the room clearing a table and chatting idly with Taylor and he smiled at the sight of her.

Her first date. He shook his head and couldn't help the smile but it faltered on his lips when he saw Ellie turn away from Taylor and bump into Lorelai. He saw them exchange a few words. Watched how Lorelai treated her so equally, listening intently to what she said and not bending down in a patronizing way to hear her. He watched how she responded, waving her arms animatedly and laughing along with her as she told whatever story she was in the throes of. Ellie gingerly touched the material of Lorelai's skirt and ran her fingers over it. Lorelai hitched her hip and lifted her blouse enough to show Ellie the full material and they both stroked the silky material over her thigh. Then Lorelai reached out and touched Ellie's hair. Twisted it around her finger, held it back from her face and then dropped it and smiled.

Luke guessed Ellie was telling her about her upcoming date, unconfirmed date, he corrected himself and wondered what advice Lorelai was dishing out. He watched with interest now, no longer peeking through hooded eyes and doled out food without even looking down. Then when Ellie turned to him and smiled, she said something to Lorelai and pointed him out from across the room. Lorelai looked up to where he was standing and he found himself rooted to the spot. She lifted her hand in a half wave but he was too frozen to reciprocate until, even from across the room, he could see her smile falter. He wanted to wave back but she had looked away. He wanted to call out to her but his breath and his voice were caught in his throat. He watched as she rested a hand on Ellie's shoulder and said something to her then turned on her heel and walked out. Ellie gathered up the rest of the plates and carried them back to the food stand.

"God dad, no need to be so rude!"

"I wasn't rude...I didn't mean to be." He watched Ellie toss the recyclable material into one can and the food scraps into another. "What were you guys talking about?"

"You."

"What?" He stared at her wide eyed.

"It's so easy these days dad, I mean I'm not even trying over here!"

"Quit it with the jokes already."

"We were just talking. About school, about the inn, about my yet to be decided date," she added carefully at the end.

"Oh?"

"Dad." Ellie turned to him and put her hand on her hips to stare him down sternly. "You are going to be unbearable. Why did you break up with her if you are only going to be miserable?"

"I didn't break up with her...is that what she said?" He looked over his shoulder to see if she was still there as he had a sudden urge to run over to her and show her how much he didn't breakup with her.

"No she didn't say that. She didn't have to. You think I'm blind?"

"...no." he said sullenly, a sulky tone diluting his words.

"I saw how happy you were with her. I see how miserable you are without her. Just go talk to her."

"I don't think she really wants to talk to me. Or see me for that matter."

"Right yeah." Ellie rolled her eyes then reached behind her back to untie her apron. "That's why she came into this kids dance recital party even though she doesn't have any kids." Luke watched as Ellie tossed her apron into the wash bag and then reached up and pulled him down so their were eye to eye. "Don't think you have to pretend to play happy families with mom just for me. I don't care about that. I care about you. I want to see you happy."

"I know."

"So go be happy dad, with whom ever makes you happy."

She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek then released her grip on his shoulders and let him straighten up. He watched as she walked away and turned only at the last minute to wink at him before stepping out of the dance hall. Luke tidied up the rest of the food and unplugged all the equipment. He pushed the food stand back into the wall and out of the way then carried the trash and wash bag back over towards the diner.

He let himself in the back way and snuck upstairs without facing the crowd. he showered and changed but decided not to shave and instead wanted to show a menacing field about him when Ellie's would be date arrived. He went downstairs and helped Caesar with the rest of the dinner crowd then when they had most of them cleared out and the evening lull started to settle in he sent Caesar home and set about cleaning the place up.

Shortly before seven Ellie came bounding down the stairs and perched herself on the high stool by the counter. He noticed she had changed, brushed her hair out and tied up the side of it with a small ribbon, similar to how Lorelai had held it in place earlier.

"I like your hair like that." he said with a smile.

"Thanks." She blushed and looked down at her swinging feet.

"So what time does this punk get here?"

"Dad!"

"What!"

"Be nice."

"I will."

"He said his brother will drop him by at about 7. They are getting a video for a family movie night."

Luke nodded and smiled at her insertion of his family plans. As if this would help him decide to let them go on a date. But before he could tease her further the diner door opened and a young boy walked in sheepishly. He closed the door behind him. Luke watched as he took a steely breath then marched up to the counter and stuck his hand out stiffly.

"Mr Danes." He said matter of factly. "I'm Tim Winters."

Luke looked down at the boy's outstretched hand and glanced over at Ellie with an arched eyebrow. Her eyes pleaded with him to be nice and he looked back at Tim who was paling visibly before his eyes.

"Hello Tim." Luke took the boy's hand and was impressed by the firm grip and two sharp pumps he received. He knew his father must have taught him that Or maybe the brother.

"I would like, um, to take, um Ellie, your daughter...though you know she is your daughter, Ellie to a movie tomorrow night."

"You would huh?" Luke placed both palms on the counter and leaned forward, knowing his height would give him a powerful presence over Tim.

"Yes sir. And I understand there are certain conditions I must fulfill before you will allow me to do so."

"And what would they be?"

He watched as Tim and Ellie exchanged glances and Ellie nodded encouragingly for Tim to continue. This was clearly a scene they had rehearsed.

"To meet you, firstly." Luke nodded then stood to his full height and crossed his arms over his broad chest. Tim gulped. "To impress you...ensure you I will do nothing but show respect to your daughter, Ellie." Luke nodded and tried his best to keep the stern look on his face. "To make sure she is back before curfew."

"Which is?"

"9pm on a Sunday."

"And where are you taking her?"

"To the omniplex. To see Indiana Jones."

"And what if she has seen that movie?"

"Dad! Of course I've seen that movie! It's a rerun!"

"Do you drive Tim? How do you anticipate getting to the omniplex?"

Tim feverishly fished in his pockets for a slip of paper. "My mom, will drive us."

"There and back again?"

"Yeah Dad, like Bilbo Baggins. Are we done?"

"So you won't mind if I call your mother then…Mrs Winters, Lincoln Street is it?" Luke said as he looked down at the paper in his hand which had her name, address and phone number neatly printed on it in 8th grade cursive.

"Of course sir, the number is right there." Tim and Ellie exchanged hopeful glances again.

"Oh I'll just ring information, it's easier than dialing." Luke picked up the phone from the wall behind them and dialed for information. He watched Tim for a look of stricken panic on his face but he saw only confusion. Luke had been 14 before. He had written his fair share of notes to his dates fathers, every single one of them with a number to a friends house who were prepared to field a call. He asked information to be connected when they located the number and after only three rings a soft female voice picked up. "Hi, is this Mrs Adele Winters?"

"Yes."

"Hi, I'm Luke Danes."

"Ah," he heard her chuckle. "Tim said you might be calling. I understand we have a budding love interest between our families."

"Yeah, something like that."

"So in case Tim hasn't told you, or more than likely he has and you are calling to confirm. I will be dropping them at the cinema, I have the tickets for the show already. I'll be picking them up afterwards too. Runtime of 138 mins with trailers. I checked with the ushers and they will be out no later than 8.20pm."

"Oh, ok."

"Tim is my youngest son of three. Don't worry, I've thought of everything."

"Thank you."

"We'll be home directly after the movie and I should have Ellie home no later than 8.50."

"That's great. Thank you."

"No problem. If you need my cell, it's on the paper Tim has given you." Luke looked down at the paper in his hand and smirked.

"Ok, thanks. Bye." He hung up the phone and looked over at Ellie who was watching him carefully Tim was still standing in front of the counter, almost at a militaristic attention stance.

"So? Can we go?"

Luke looked between them and slowly nodded his head. "Yes, you can go." Ellie looked over at Tim and they both grinned at each other. "Do you want a milkshake Tim?"

"No sir. My brothers are waiting for me in the video store. but thank you or the offer." he backed away from the counter to the door and glanced at Ellie. Luke couldn't help but wonder if he was trying to get away before he messed up and make him change his mind and he chuckled at the thought. He watched as they both shared glances until Tim pulled the door open and hurried out. Ellie raced over to the window to watch him run down the street out of sight into the video store.

"Oh my god Dad!" she squealed in delight and ran over to Luke to engulf him in his second hug of the day. This time his arms were free and he hugged her back. When Rachel came into the diner her arms laden down with shopping bags she smiled and dropped her bags.

"Whats happening?"

"I have a date!" Ellie screamed out, her arms still holding her father to her. Rachel squealed and hurried over to hug Ellie from behind, take the opportunity to inadvertently hug Luke also. but he was so wrapped up in his daughter's joy he didn't care. Ellie and Rachel squealed in delight, making Luke laugh. he bent his head and kissed the top of his daughter's head as her arms tightened around him even more. When he looked up and saw Rachel watching him with a wistful smile on her lips he couldn't help but smile back.

Out on the street Lorelai looked in at the familial image they presented, framed by the door to the diner, the dim lights casting a soft glow across them as they hugged and smiled, as Luke kissed his daughter, and Rachel kissed his cheek. She let her heart sink even lower and turned her back on them. She shoved her hands in her pockets and pulled her jacket closed tighter around him, hating herself for her craving to see him. Hating herself for thinking there was more to it, more to them, more to discover. She walked home, tossed some cereal and milk into a bowl and carried it up to bed to eat.

A/N: Okay, that's enough set up, time to get down to bid'ness! I reckon I'll get the rest of the chapters up over the weekend or shortly after.